When Was Our Longest Heat Spell?

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SEATTLE - It doesn't get too hot too often around here, but there have been some pretty good heat stretches by Seattle standards. The longest streak of days at 90 degrees or hotter was 5 days between Aug. 7 and Aug. 11 in 1981.

However, 1977's streak might be more impressive overall. Even though it ranks No. 2 on the 90+ list at 4 straight days (Aug. 9 to Aug. 12), it ranks No. 1 for days 80 and above with 15 straight -- between Jul. 30 and Aug. 13.

But that's nothing compared to the poor folks down in Marble Bar in W. Australia, where they hold a world record for 162 straight days above 100 degrees from Oct. 30, 1923 to Apr. 7, 1924 (don't forget, their seasons are reversed). I guess there, you just throw a few shrimp on the sidewalk.